Harry Chapin

Singer / Songwriter

Born: 7 December 1942

Died: 16 July 1981 (automobile crash)

Birthplace: New York, New York

Best known as: Singer of the 1972 hit "Taxi"

Harry Chapin was a folk-rock troubadour of the baby boom generation. He was particularly known for his "story-songs"; his signature hit "Taxi" (1972) was the story of a disillusioned cabbie meeting an old lover, and "Cat's In the Cradle" (1974) the cautionary tale of an absentee father. Chapin toured restlessly and recorded the albums Heads and Tales (1972), Short Stories (1973), Verities and Balderdash (1974) and Danceband on the Titanic (1977) among several others. Chapin also was a social activist for many causes, particularly world hunger. He died at age 38 in a traffic accident on New York's Long Island Expressway.

Extra credit: Chapin's brother Tom hosted the 1970s children's show Make A Wish... Their father James was a drummer with the Tommy Dorsey and Woody Herman jazz bands... Before devoting himself to music, Harry Chapin made a documentary film about boxing, Legendary Champions, which was nominated for an Oscar in 1969.